Tag Archives: personal

*insert middle finger here*

D’s parents have finally admitted that they refuse to meet me. Not because they hate me or anything, but because they simply cannot accept our “situation.”

Our situation…you know that situation where we are in a long term, loving relationship, and are happier together than either of us have ever been otherwise. Yeah, that situation.

Our happiness is something they cannot condone because it resulted from infidelity and divorce, and they, being fine and upstanding Christian people, could not possibly forgiveĀ such actions. (I’m paraphrasing here, as they don’t actually have the balls to put it so bluntly. Though they’ve so eloquently referred to me as the “floozy” for years, for what that’s worth.)

I wish I could tell them the full truth about the supposed infidelity. I bet their heads would fucking explode.

They can manipulate and emotionally abuse their childrenĀ (and grandchildren) andĀ be judgmental, racist, classist, homophobic douche-bags. They can forgive their other son for making a fucking sex tape with some skank and being stupid enough to leaveĀ it for his wife to find. They can forgive their son-in-law for being investigated for rape. ButĀ they simply have to put their foot down here. Because divorce is wrong.

These are the same people who believe the world is only 6000 years old, so I don’t really know why I’m surprised. I’m sure Jesus is super proud.

Honestly, making the decision to not meet me is probably very smart because I would fucking own them. Unlike every other woman in their twisted little family, I wouldĀ go straight for the fucking balls, and I’d never look back.

Thankful Thursday

The little ghetto girl that will always live inside my heart cannot believe how lovely life has become. I remember living in the broken down house in the “bad” part of Ferguson. The house with the bullet holes. The house with the abusive, alcoholic, drug addicted father. The house of pain and sadness. The very atmosphere was oppressive. Ā I used to daydream of how life could maybe be someday if I just tried hard enough. I could go to college and law school. I could fall in love. Have a family. Build a beautiful life. I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, and so many obstacles in my way. But I never ever gave up. And here I am now, looking back on a childhood that feels so very far away now. The pain, the suffering, and the struggle were so worth it. I feel so very fortunate.

And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself
Well…How did I get here?

My body

I posted a pic of myself wearing a skimpy bikini on social media yesterday, which is something that’s somewhat out of character for me. I don’t typically want to draw attention to myself; especially sexual attention. But it felt important to own how hard it was for me to even be wearing it in the first place. 

I have some significant body image issues. When I look at myself, I don’t usually see a thin, attractive, middle aged woman. I see loose skin, cellulite, stretch marks, and fifteen pounds of fat that needs to go. I often avoid looking at myself in mirrors because I dislike what I see. So when I find the courage to expose myself to the world in all my imperfections, it feels like something to be celebrated. 

Our society places too much emphasis on perfection. There is an expectation that even at almost 37 years old, after breast cancer and a baby, I should look like a Victoria’s Secret model. When I look at myself and see how far I am from that ideal, it’s extremely discouraging. But why? This body grew and birthed a healthy 8 1/2 pound baby. It survived cancer. It’s strong and beautiful and I should own that. 

I’m not saying I’ll feel like this every day or that I’m going to stop working towards my goal of getting fitter, but I am going to make a much bigger effort to love myself just as I am right now. Because I’m beautiful and good; inside and out.

List 12: List Your Best Qualities

This was one of the more difficult lists Iā€™ve completed so far, but it was also the most rewarding. I like that theĀ ā€œtake actionā€ note advises to keep adding to the list throughout the year as a way to realize the unique things that make me who I am. (Have I mentioned I adore this journal? Because I really, really love it. You can buy it here.)

My list (so far):

  1. good listener
  2. hard working
  3. passionate
  4. devoted
  5. fun
  6. dauntless
  7. authentic
  8. intelligent
  9. affectionate/loving
  10. adventurous
  11. brave
  12. self-reliant
  13. resilient

Last weekā€™s list, which I didnā€™t post, was List The Ways You Can Rejuvenate Your Space. Next weekā€™s list is: List The Things That Always Cheer You Up. Iā€™m looking forward to that one. Iā€™m going to use it as a self-care master list.Ā 

I have found a few more ā€œself-discoveryā€ type journals I plan on buying soon.Ā 

xoxo

In what ways, how are you different from four years ago?

Iā€™ve had three major life events in the last four years:

  1. divorce
  2. breast cancer
  3. met the love of my life

Not necessarily in that order. In fact, the correct order is #3, #1, #2.

Each of these things changed me in several ways, but here are the highlights:

  • Iā€™m much more relaxed now. You (usually) donā€™t sweat the small stuff after cancer.
  • Iā€™ve learned to be truly grateful for everything/everyone I have.
  • Iā€™m happier. So much happier. It comes across in everything I do. Itā€™s sort of old news now, but in the beginning, I had so many friends comment on how much happier and more positive I am since my divorce.
  • Iā€™ve stopped procrastinating. Life is short. The future is no place to place your better days.